McNair Makes His Case for Return

SUMMARY: NFL Players Association general counsel Richard Berthelsen said yesterday said the cross-examination of Steve McNair was lengthy in yesterday's grievance hearing at Baptist Sports Park. "Our case was pretty brief, what made it long was the cross examination. But Steve did say what he's always said: He would love to be a Tennessee Titan and retire in that uniform, but yet it seems like the club is not allowing him to perform and that is why we're all here." Berthelsen said that both sides were respectful during seven-and-a-half hour hearing. "It was mainly irrelevant things, like, 'You weren't here much in the past, were you? So why do you want to be here now?," said Berthelsen, who indicated the Titans' biggest arguments centered on their concerns with his contract and the salary cap. Berthelsen said the union won a similar case nearly 20 years ago, when the Oakland Raiders banned RB Steve Smith from working out at their complex because they were looking to trade him. The arbitrator will try to make a decision by June 1.

Didn't this same thing happen to Tim Couch in 2004 with Cleveland right after they signed Garcia? Does anyone know what the outcomes were from the NFLPA for both Smith and Couch? Considering that Couch played for the Packers in '04 it seems like things went the Brown's way, but I was just wondering what the consquences were.

Possibly a difference in talent, but regardless of whether or not he was a bust, he was under contract with the Browns when they locked him out, and it was no small coinicidence that they had just signed a new QB and were seeking a trade. It sounds pretty identical to me from a business standpoint.

I think now it's more about the length of the contract than the pay. Sure, getting $3 million more to play elsewhere is nice, but I think the length is what has McNair all torn up. With Young now getting all the attention here, McNair will be viewed as the "over-the-hill" QB with a short shelf life. McNair could have possibly been playing the innocent card by saying something like "(I) would love to be a Tennessee Titan and retire in that uniform, but yet it seems like the club is not allowing (me) to perform and that is why we're all here." I don't know if he said that or just indicated that he would love to retire a Titan. However, what else would he have said when asked? "I would like to go to Baltimore since the Titans don't like me anymore."?!? That wouldn't have been a very "fan friendly" statement to make. I would love to have McNair back, but I fear that he will be more of a burden financially than a help on the field. I could be wrong, but I am going off of 2-3 unspectacular, consecutive seasons. That's my opinion.

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